Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Hi Everyone,A new Aunty Bella case is coming up tomorrow so I think its about time that I compiled all the updates from previous ‘cases’. I have been willing to do this for a while but its been tough compiling all the responses.Honestly, I have learned a lot from the ‘Aunty Bella’ feature, especially Ms. Cater 2 Me’s case (LOL…No it wasn’t me). Anyway, here goes:Ms. Frontin’ Don’t PaySummary: A guy was chatting her up for a couple of months and she was frontin’ excessively. Dude moved on and she was pained.Update: Ms. Frontin’ Don’t Pay has been in a relationship for several months. The original dude that she was frontin’ for turned out to be a major jerk as he had a fiancé abroad while he was chasing other girls around Lagos. I guess her frontin’ paid after all!

Ms. Papa Don’t PreachSummary: She is Yoruba and her fiancé is Igbo. Her dad said No, No NOOOO!Update: They are married! Her Dad was not ecstatic but accepted his in-laws when they performed the introduction and marriage. Her wedding website was floating around but I cant say who!

Mr. TornSummary: Had a long-term girlfriend/fiancé in Nigeria, arrived in the States for his MBA and started a serious affair with another girl.Update: Coincidentally, I found out that I know who Mr. Torn is! Hahahha…Dude is nice looking o and an Ivy-League MBA scholar. LOL…but on a more serious note. He eventually broke it to his long-term girlfriend in Nigeria and continued to date his new lady. He and the new lady have broken up and he is currently single. Mr. Torn is def. not serious or ready to settle down. In my opinion, the girl in Nigeria should be happy that she dodged the bullet.

Ms. Yoruba WahalaSummary: Both she and her bf/fiance are Yoruba and based in the US. She is Muslim and he is a Christian. He is almost a decade older and he does not have a degree. Her parents said No because of his lack of a degree plus the fact that he is from one of the ‘Ara-Oke Yoruba states’.Update: Her bf/fiance is having a baby and she is not the mother! They have broken-up! End of story!

Ms. Cut Your Coat According To Your SizeSummary: UK Bred Nigerian, moved back to Lagos and got caught up in the ‘lifestyle’. She was extremely broke but was still living it up with her friends. She did not know what to do and could not share this information with her friends.Update: Miss CYCATYS says that she has cut down on some excesses but she is still not financially secure and is still living the Lagos ‘lifestyle’. Sad.

Ms. B-DilemmaSummary: Has very small breasts, low self-esteem and was considering breast augmentation.Update: She eventually went ahead with the operation and says she is happy with the physical results but still suffers from low self-esteem. She says she is in therapy. Good luck girl!

Ms. Man Vs MoneySummary: She got a job with an investment bank but her boyfriend (who did not have a permanent job) felt the job would be too stressful and would be detrimental to their future.Update: She actually rejected the investment banking job (whattttt???), she got a well-paid graduate position with a multi-national firm decided to go with that instead. Her bf proposed but they have since broken up for other reasons.

Ms. MiserySummary: Well-educated lady in her 30s based in the US. She was miserable because she was not married or in a serious relationship while younger friends and acquaintances are getting married.Update: Ms. Misery is still single but she says she is no longer miserable! She moved back to Nigeria some months ago, is doing well in a new job and has several guys who are seriously interested and she says she is praying about them.

Ms. Cater 2 MeSummary: She had a very stingy boyfriend who has never given her a gift in 4 years of dating but he spends a lot of money on himself.Update: Wrote a letter to her boyfriend detailing how she felt about his stinginess. They had a huge fight after he read the letter. They eventually made up and talked about it. Dude has turned a new leaf.

Mrs. TrappedSummary: Young married lady who moved to the US to ‘join’ her husband whom she had only met once previously. Since her arrival, she began to feel alienated and timid due to her husband’s incessant jabs about her accent etc…Update: Mrs Trapped has started her nursing course and attempted to discuss the issue with her husband several times to no avail. He still treats her well and provides for her but she says he is still cold. Her mother has advised her to get pregnant ASAP.

That’s it!Watch out for tomorrow’s Aunty Bella…Thanks for all the support so far.If you have an issue, email bellanaija@gmail.com - its completely confidentialWhich ‘Aunty Bella case’ did you relate to or learn the most from. Do you have any new advice for them? Let us know.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Hey Everyone,So how was your weekend? Hope y’all had fun!Mine was not bad…stayed in on Friday night, went out on Saturday and that was basically it! Nothing super-exciting…So Idols West Africa has drawn to a close and as most of you know by now, Timi WON!He walks away with a recording contract from SONY/BMG AFRICA International, a Kia Picanto from Dana Group Nigeria, USD 10 000 from Ecobank and an ultimate viewing prize from Celtel (includes a 26 inch LCD TV, I-Pod and DStv system).So congrats to him. Below are some vids from the finale.

Yemi Osunkoya’s Kosibah is one of my favourite labels.Yemi has been in the business for a very long time. His wedding dresses, eveningwear and formal apparel are exquisite! He is well-known as superb finishing and attention to detail. Kosibah combines classic style with creative flair. Tres fab. Here are some pictures from a recent fashion show courtesy Din of London.For the Kosibah website, click HERE

So that’s it for today. What do you think of the Idols WA winner, Timi and runner-up, Omawumi. What do you think of their singles and chances of musical success.

How about Kosibah designs? Would you consider one of his creations for your wedding? Let us know. Have a great week. MUAH! Bella.

Friday, May 25, 2007

Photo of the Week: Genevieve Nnaji @ the Ade Bakare Exhibition/Competition.She looks f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s from head to toe!

Hey Everyone,How are you guys doing? I had the most amazing week even though I am now suffering for it...my whole body hurts and my voice is halfway gone! I went for a concert last night and all I can say is WOW! I sang along, I screamed, I jumped around, I danced! Woot woot…Good times…Meanwhile, I am really hoping to have a very chilled, laid-back weekend but we’ll see how it goes because one of my friends is having a BBQ this weekend.So many changes are coming through for me in the next couple of weeks (those who know…know LOL)…and I am sooo excited. Also, wanted to send a big kiss to my dear NY/NJ friend, O. Each day I value our friendship more, u r the epitome of a phenomenal person…random I know but I just wanted to let u know! MUAH!On to other things, its just sinking in that I am going to be a bridesmaid (Maid of Honour for that matter) for the very first time next year…I am so blessed to be part of your wedding, Miss E!!!!!It’s been a while since I’ve done Weekend Luv but here goes…

Blogs Wow, there are soooo many new blogs…I don’t think I can keep up!Oh well, here are one of my new favs and one of my all-time favs.Stella Damasus Aboderin’s BlogI’m lovin it already....Nigerican’s BlogThis is one of my all-time favs, just felt the need to shout it out!

ClicksLaspapi and several well-respected Nigerian literary giants will be editing a Nigerian Bloggers Book…Interested? Click HEREOBJ’s 70th B-Day Pics - HEREDiscussions on OBJ’s 70th B-Day Pics on Waffarian’s Blog , Laspapi’s Blog and Grandiose ParlorTaurean Minx answers 60 questions - HEREFellow blogger, Abbey is now an Ivy-League Med School student (well…in a couple of months)…so happy for u girl - HERESad news on Nigerian/American musician rapper, Naira. May God grant her family strength and fortitude. Please keep her in your prayers. Things like this put life in perspective - HEREUzo asks ‘Would you go out/marry someone who doesn't have a first degree?" - HEREBeyonce's vacay pics...wooot I am on my way to the gym - HERENew D’Banj Interview – HEREExcerpt: “I would say my "Kokoletes" love me and I love them. I am their Koko master. They cannot love somebody else other than the Koko master. My "Babyletes, Kokoletes, Mamaletes" showed me love right from the first time they heard me” LMAO"I have met people and they told me, Jesus is the Koko for them. I have met people when I went to London and came back and they say picnic is the Koko for them. Picnic is not sex." LMAO Part 2Party Addicts Events – For More http://www.partyaddicts.com/

HitsBollie – U May Kiss The BrideI luv this song! It just makes me giggle…It’s a Ghanaian jam but most of the Ghanaian I know really dislike it! Anyways, U May Kiss the Bride MUAHHHHHHHHH

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

I blogged about Ella Brown a little while ago and we got a whole mixed bag of opinion.Here are the photos from her Miami Fashion Week debut.Personally, I’m impressed! I like the whole theme, the fabrics, cuts and the varying influences. So what do you think?

___________________________________________________________________

So Idols WA is down to the Final 3 this week and Temitayo was voted out!The winner will be chosen next week and my vote goes to Omawumi, I think she rocks!! She is daring with her song choices and her stage presence is strong.Anyways, we’ll find out next week!Omawumi – ‘Waiting in Vain’ by Bob Marley

On another related note, I would like to know what you guys think about the comments section and whether it should be moderated or not. One of the things I decided when I started this blog was to encourage people to leave honest opinions and not filter or water it down. I respect everyone's opinion/comments although personally I sometimes feel that the comments can be quite harsh and personal so I would like you guys to vote and/or let us know what you think. So vote below on to censor or not to censor the comments in extreme cases. Please vote only once. Thank you!

***UPDATE***So regarding the whole comment censorship thing, I have given it a lot of thought and reflection.Before I go further, I want to point out that started this blog to celebrate Nigerian/African women and their achievements in fashion, entertainment etc….and generally do something positive. I also want to make it clear that this is not a gossip blog.

I understand that trash sells and to some people ‘keeping it real’ involves hurling insults or gossiping about people while being positive is perceived as ‘sucking up’. That said, I will do what my spirit feels at rest with because at the end of the day, this is my blog and it’s a reflection of me.I will not moderate comments because I want to get people’s honest opinions but I will lay out some guidelines at this point.

- Be respectful, whether your view is positive or negative or whatever- This is not a forum to settle personal issues or ‘beef’ or air out dirty laundry so keep it to yourself or take it somewhere else

I don’t think any of these 2 guidelines is asking too much.

I believe that the comments section can be interesting without degenerating to Perez Hilton or Jerry Springer trashy levels. Be honest, blunt or whatever but do not be insulting.Everyone has their dirty laundry, Oprah is an admitted ex-drug abuser and has admitted being extremely promiscuous in the past (she was pregnant at 14, did drugs in her 20s and had 4-year relationship with a married man - Source) but this does not define her, she has moved on to do bigger and better things but I am so sure that if she were Nigerian, people would call her all sorts of names and bring up all her dirty laundry each time her name is mentioned. Sad but very true.

This is the last time I'll discuss this issue because I find the whole thing tiresome plus I dont need to justify my actions to anyone on either side of the fence. I just sought opinion out of respect for my readers.Anyway, I appreciate you for visiting my blog but it’s a hobby not my job or my lifeline so if you feel it isn’t interesting because there is no gossip or people are not spewing insults feel free not to visit or comment.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Hey Everybody,Wow! Its another monday....sorry for being MIA last week.I took a little trip so in the midst of preparations, I couldnt update.Sooo how was your weekend? Mine was absolutely fabulous.....very relaxing and all that...What did you get up to?Not much has been happening in the world of Nigerian fashion and entertainment over the last couple of weeks but that is changing.....now that the elections are done, things are looking up!Makari is a line of beauty products (from what I know they are Hydroquinone free lightening products....hmmmm) which is being launched in Nigeria. Florence Ita-Giwa is the face and representative of the line in Nigeria. They held a huge launch event last week and here are the pics from the event.I have to give it to Funmi Iyanda and Nike Osinowo...WOW! They both look uber-fab!

That's it for today.I love all the commentary especially for 'event photos' so analyze away!Who were the best dressed? What do you think about the event? Makari and skin-lightening products in general.Let us know.